MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Under a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Miami-Dade County in Florida has agreed to invest in major upgrades to its wastewater treatment plants and wastewater collection and transmission systems in order to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows, according to a press release.

The state of Florida and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) are co-plaintiffs with the U.S. in this action.

Under the terms of the consent decree, Miami-Dade will rehabilitate its wastewater treatment plants and its wastewater collection and transmission system within 15 years, noted the release.

The county will also develop and implement management operation and maintenance programs to help ensure the sewer system is properly operated and maintained in the future.

By implementing these measures, Miami-Dade is expected to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows from its wastewater collection and transmission system and achieve compliance with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, stated the release.

“Sewage overflows are a significant problem in the Southeast because of inadequate and aging infrastructure,” said Stan Meiburg, acting regional administrator of EPA’s Southeastern office. “This agreement demonstrates the county’s commitment to address its sewage problems. Eliminating overflows of raw sewage will comply with the Clean Water Act and benefit the Miami-Dade community by providing a cleaner and healthier environment.”

Water Technology provides professionals charged with managing industrial water and wastewater with news, regulation updates, technology-based content, tips and best practices for the intelligent use and reuse of this valuable resource.